Platform for vehicles



W. FQRSHAW. Platform for Vehicles. No. 223,491. Patented'an. 13, 1880.

ATTORNEYS.

WITNESS p UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM EoRsHAw, 0E CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PLATFORM FOR VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 223,497, dated January 13, 1880.

Application filed November 7, 1879.

T0 all 'whom t may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM FORSHAW, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and Improved Platform for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

Figure l is a plan of the device. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation on line x Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevation on line y y, Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on line z z, Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is arear elevation of the standard, showing the manner of attaching the curved spring.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of this invention is to provide an easier riding and lnore elastic vehicle-platform than others now in use.

The invention consists of a forked standard, whose lower end embraces the axle at its center, while its head supports the bolster-plate; and secured between the forks of the standard and projectinglaterally therefrom in both directions is a plate-spring parallel with and above the axle, and connected at its ends with theJ axle by transverse elliptical springs that are secured to the axle nearits shoulders; and it further consists of a device for supporting and a device for adjusting the elevation of the carriage-pole.

In the drawings, A represents the standard, provided with socket a in its top, a square shoulder or flange, b, below the socket, and tvv parallel prongs or forks, g, extending perpendicularly downward and embracing the central portion of the axle B.

C is the bolster-plate, that serves also as a king-bolt, with stem shouldered at c, and inserted into the socket a, wherein it is held so that it will revolve easily by the screw or pin d, that passes laterally into the said socket, the hole d affording a means for lubricating the said stem and socket, and an annular groove,

f, is formed on the under side of the said bolster-plate C, so that the joint between the plate O and the top of the standard A shall be effectually closed against dust.

D is the long curved spring set between the the two clips h and bolts h. spring D is connected with the upper section of an elliptical spring, E, by the yokes and clips k;

B is the axle, placed transversely between the forks g of the standard A and parallel with the spring D; and held centrally upon the upper surface of said axle B by the plates Z and clips m is a pin, a', carrying on each end a roller, n, and said rollers n, being confined `in the grooves o, serve to prevent the lat-eral move- Inent of the axle B.

The clips p connect the axle B at either end with the lower sections of the elliptical springs E. Through the ends of the forks g of the standard A the stud q is passed to hold the forks firmly together; and on the said stud q is setthe roller fr, to afford a frictionless bearing for the axle B should the said axle B and roller r come in contact with each other.

.The brackets s, that are bolted on the upper faces of the shoulder b of the standard A, and the rods t, that are passed through the side lugs, u, of the standard A, support the socket Each end of this F, that holds the pole Gr of the vehicle, and the forward-projecting lug o holds a set-screw, fw, that bears upon the inner end of the pole G, and may be turned down or up for the purpose of adjusting the elevation of the forward end of the said pole G, as may be desired.

H is the V-shaped support that projects hori zontally from the shoulder b of the standard A, and supports the tongue bolt x, which passes down through the socket F and through the pole G to hold the latter in place.

It will be seen that when the vehicle is not in use the pole G can be elevated and so held by the setscrew w without the usual appliances of chains, props, e., and when the vehicle is in use the weight of the pole can, in the same manner, be removed from the horses.

It will be seen, also, that by withdrawal of the pin d the whole platform can be removed from the vehicle to which the bolster-plate C is attached; and it is also observable that the weight of thevehicle will press upon the ends of the axle close to the wheel-hubs instead of,

that by thus locating the pressure the safety forks g, and held centrally against the under and durability of vehicle and axle are both increased.

IOO

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- Y A l. In combination with the standard A, provided with socket a, the shouldered bolsterpla-te'G, substantially as herein shown and described, saidV plate G being,` held Within the socket a, by screw or pin d', a-s set forth.

2. In a vehicle-platform, the standard A, constructed With socket a, shoulder or flange b, and prongs or forks g, substantially as herein shown, and for the purpose described.

3. The standard A, curved spring D, elliptical springs E E, and axle B, in combination, substantially as shown and described.

4. ln combination with the forked and 6. As a means for adjusting the elevation of 2 5 the pole Gr, and in combination with the sand ardA and socket F, the set-screw w, as herein shown and described.

WILLIAM FORSHAW. Witnesses J oHN RoDGERs, ALEXANDER ROURK. 

